CLIFTON – Cablevision subscribers who still use analog signals to watch television will soon need a box to tune into City Council and Board of Education meetings.

After Sept. 16, the cable conglomerate will no longer offer channels 76, 77 and 78 over an analog transmission. Those with analog sets will have to obtain a digital box from the company in order to continue viewing Public Education and Government (PEG) channels.

Cablevision attributes the switch to a major shift away from the analog viewing format.

"Cablevision has been leading the transition to digital television in a customer-friendly way, and more than 89 percent of our customers today have digital service, the highest rate of digital penetration in the nation," said company spokesperson Patrick MacElroy in an e-mailed statement.

"As public access shifts to digital, we have ensured that any analog customer who wants to continue to receive this programming can do so at no additional cost. We note that our phone company and satellite competitors either make a dramatically inferior commitment to PEG programming, or do not offer it at all," he added.

Residents who have no digital services were notified by mail last month about the conversion, MacElroy said.

The box and installation are being offered free of charge and customers can request one by phone, mail or can also pick up a box at a local Cablevision headquarters.

"The free box offer will remain in place as long as a customer retains their current level of service," MacElroy added.

The free box is only available for one TV in each household.

Cablevision representatives said that converting public access channels to digital format is not to be confused with the nationwide switch to digital programming on Feb. 17, 2009. The government is offering $40 coupons to purchase digital converter boxes for the switch, which only affects homes without satellite or a subscription to a paid cable service. Those with analog sets or "rabbit-ear" antennas will no longer be able to watch basic broadcast stations without the converter box next year.

However, the movement to digital TV is nothing new, with competitors like Verizon FiOS already infiltrating the market. In Clifton, basic subscribers to Verizon FiOS, which is 100 percent digital TV, have been receiving public access on Channel 40 since last December, according to a company spokesperson.